Western Conference predictions

1. Sacramento KingsProjected Record: 62-202002 Record: 61-21 (No. 1)
Envy their skill level, their depth, their blend of
complementary players but not the fact that they are
defending a title they have yet to win. You take what
you can get when any semifinal matchup is against one
of the top four teams in the league. Talent got them
to within a single point of an NBA Championship but
demons never have counted buckets. Of course, we're
talking about Chris Webber. He will either have his
greatest season ever as a player counting grade
school, club, prep, college and pro . . . or his
worst. And it will have little to do with his point
per game average.

2. Los Angeles LakersProjected Record: 60-222002 Record: 58-24 (No. 2)
This team is specifically designed to win 15 games at
the end of the season without ever losing two in a
row. Home, away, on the third moon of Jupiter. Doesn't
matter. It has been 37 years since any NBA team has
claimed four titles in a row and that was back when
the Celtics turned it twice by 1966 A.D. You probably
weren't even born yet. Chances are, neither was your
dad. Regular-season titles, individual accolades and
any other door prizes the league sees fit to hand out
are undercard at best. Undisputed and still reigning .
. .

3. Dallas MavericksProjected Record: 59-232002 Record: 57-25 (No. 4)
Just need to get punched in the mouth a few more times
until they decide that they're not going to get
punched in the mouth anymore. Steve Nash, Michael
Finley and Dirk Nowitzki don't need to get better.
They just need to get meaner. Scoring a 100 points
a game isn't enough anymore. Unless, of course, you're
rubbing somebody's nose in it by drilling threes at
the buzzer to go up by 24 while leaving your home
locker room door open just a crack so your opponent
can peep the leather recliners, big screen TVs and
palm leaves as they walk by.